Airline Pilot Central Forums - ALPA National Elections--October

My understanding is this will be distributed to BOD members in Vegas.

WHY YOU SHOULD NOT VOTE FOR TODD INSLER FOR ALPA PRESIDENT

Division: Todd touts the Pandemic LOA as a job saver, but in actuality, it divided the United pilot group into three sections forever destroying unity. While the intentions may have been good, it saved United tons of money. While the airline was rolling in the Cares Dollars which they used to start United Ventures (a Venture Capital division that invests in electric jets, supersonic transports, and biofuels, none of which we will see in our careers), Todd brought another round of concessions. With regards to saving jobs, what really happened is that senior pilots were forced to take pay cuts for the junior pilots who ended up pay protected at higher rates because of forced downgrades. The seriously junior had to decide if they could live on 35 hours of pay (half-time) or take a leave. Many opted for the later and returned to their higher paying military positions. Could you survive on 35 hour a month? In other words, it socialized seniority causing major rifts that may never be repaired. So, when Todd says he saved jobs, he really just rearranged the deck chairs by redistributing the wealth. This from a super junior EWR 787 guy with less than 8000 hours in 25+ years at our airline.

Negotiations: The United Pilot Agreement became amendable in 2017 and was opened early, in 2016. Todd oversaw negotiations for 6 years. He claimed victory on more than one occasion via Twitter before coming out against his “Tumi TA” when it was overwhelmingly rejected. Then, he threw his hand-picked replacement under the proverbial bus even though Todd was the mastermind behind the TA. The concessions contained in the agreement are vast. For example, on their first day back, reserves are required to be available at 0500 instead of the current book of 1000, removing their chance to commute. It includes outsourced instructors and management’s right to assign the flying seat on international legs to ensure relief pilots stay current, circumventing captain’s authority. The only gain was a non-union shop suitcase.

Pay Raises: While the TA included Retro, it was only retroactive to Jan 1, 2022. After 3 years without a raise, the proposed initial adjustment was only 4%, not even half the rate of inflation for 2022. The MEC tried to sell the already agreed to 5% raise contained in the Pandemic LOA as part of the TA. While the press reported the TA contained a14% raise over the 2-year agreement, it was actually only 9%. Pilots would continue to lose significant purchasing power over the term of the agreement and in the years that followed while negotiating a new agreement. Finally, the agreement did not include any “Me Too” clauses. So much for pattern bargaining.

The Vaccine LOA and Mandate: No matter your position on vaccines, Todd Insler decided it was his right to tell all UAL pilots what to do, regardless of their health or faith. And, he wants to bring this policy to your carriers through National Mandates, even though the topic should be long dead by now. Why? That is what Scott Kirby wants him to do. Because Insler did not stand up for all ALPA pilots, calling those who sought reasonable accommodations statistically insignificant, 12 were terminated, 10 of which filed a DFR against ALPA and remain unemployed. 354 were put on unpaid, indefinite leave, effectively terminated, and only recently returned to work with severe restrictions that violate the current CBA. What Todd does not realize is that by not standing up and saying no (like DAL, SWAPA, APA, and all your MEC’s) over 2000 UAL folks had their lives and careers destroyed because their unions followed suit-- the AFA, IBT, IAM, etc. We cannot forget the vast number who acquiesced and have suffered terribly from the effects. Right now, LTD is up 22%, year over year, at UAL, and we do not know where it will stop. So, when Todd tells you he is a pragmatic leader, he is lying. He is a dictator, hell-bent on destroying anyone who disagrees with him. He is only interested in what Scott Kirby, the UAL BOD, and others in management want, not what his pilot group wants. He gleefully wrote to one pilot with whom he disagreed a very immature “boosters are coming, so get ready” insinuating that booster shots would be mandated, as well.

Unstable Personality/Volitile Management Style: Disagreeing with Todd brings a whole new set of problems. Ask Kathryn Klineman a petite 5’1” Chicago B-737 Captain who exercised her right to address her MEC in an open forum time slot. Todd knew she was going to speak against his leadership so he called the Rosemont, IL police saying she was a threat which could have ruined her career. When she arrived at the building, Todd screamed at her, saying she, a dues- paying member in good standing, had no right to be there! That is typical of Todd. When he cannot debate, he either screams or enlists his army of internet trolls with fake accounts to scour United pilots’ postings and report them to HR for the most ridiculous infraction of the so-called “Working Together” guidelines. Not bad or volatile enough? A few weeks ago, at the Newark Council 5 meeting to install interim reps for this convention, Todd threatened the pilot assigned to conduct the meeting, offering to take him to the parking lot. Todd’s volatile personality will not serve any of us well. Imagine him testifying before Congress getting raked over the coals by the likes of Ted Cruz. He will likely come unglued, harming all of us. No, if you disagree with Todd and dare to speak out, he will attack, smear, and even resort to threats of violence. These are not traits we need in our national President. Just look at his embarrassing email directed at a constituent where he told the pilot, in writing, to “STFU.” That’s not how any member in good standing expects to be spoken to by someone in a position of service.

Too Cozy With Management: The UPA affords the MEC Chairman a seat on the UAL Board of Directors. To most, this is a privilege that one uses to help with negotiations and thwart harm to their pilot group. To Todd, this was a stepping stone to his own greatness. When the UAL BOD tried to buy his loyalty with lifetime First Class travel for his entire family, Todd quietly accepted. It only came to light because a pilot was scouring the 8K Filings and found the value disclosed to the IRS. Todd tried to play dumb; refused to publicly denounce the benefit; and has not, to our knowledge, turned it down to this day. It also has not been rescinded in any subsequent 8K filings. Todd has even given gifts to UAL BOD members including a United Captain's hat. We don’t need leaders beholden to management serving as National President.

Lack of Media Presence: Todd does not have the presence to properly represent any of us in the media, let alone at the bargaining table. With regards to the 737 Max diabolical he was quoted in the Seattle Times speaking like the true aviation professional he is (not). “In an interview...Capt. Todd Insler, chairman of the United branch of ALPA...broke ranks with his counterparts at American Airlines and Southwest Airlines who earlier...publicly complained that this [MCAS] wasn’t disclosed to pilots during training or included in the 737 MAX pilot manuals. Insler said many systems on an airplane work in the background without the pilot’s knowledge. He compared it to watching television: ‘I don’t need to know how it works’.” In other words, he threw our profession and our brothers and sisters at AA and SWA under the bus. He goes on to throw the dead Lion Air and Egypt Air pilots under the bus with this comment, “The story here is not why we didn’t know about (the new system), it’s why the pilots didn’t fly the plane.” Not the ideal spokesman to head the premier aviation safety advocacy organization.

Seniority Issues: In Todd’s latest video interview with the future pilots of the AVIATE program, he demonstrates just how far he will go to pander for a 800K/ year job. He actually said he could agree with the Aviate candidates getting UAL seniority numbers the day they start the program. How does that work for all our Group B brothers and sisters applying to United who have years of experience when they come to UAL, and who will be jumped by an Aviate student upon graduation?

Six Years with NOTHING to Show: Todd convinced the MEC to overturn the two-term limit granting himself an unprecedented third term as MEC Chairman. Now, after six failed years, he installed a replacement puppet who, while nice enough, is “not the fighter” (in his own words) the United pilots need. Then, Todd threw his replacement under the bus by denying ownership of the Tumi TA, blaming his replacement which has caused complete MEC Chaos. Over half of the UAL MEC has been or is facing recall with more to come. The National Union does not need this nightmare brought to Washington. UAL needs to get their house in order which we, the line pilots, are methodically doing. But for now, it is best we sit this one out. Todd Insler and his cabal were bad for UAL and will be bad for your constituents, too. Keep an eye out for an 11th hour Hail-Mary play whereby the UAL MEC drafts a replacement candidate who will not commit to keeping Todd from ANY appointed ALPA positions. You can cut the head off the snake, but this one will grow two more.

We can do better!